State seeks to advance
ANWR plan dismissed
by Interior Secretary
JUNEAU — The state of Alaska is taking the next step in trying to advance a multiyear plan aimed at determining the oil and gas potential in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s a proposal that Interior Secretary Sally Jewell recently dismissed as prohibited under federal law and something that would require congressional authorization.
Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan said under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the secretary must approve an exploration plan if it meets the necessary requirements. He and Gov. Sean Parnell argue the plan proposed by the state does.
Jewell, in a letter to Parnell dated June 28, said the exploration authorization expired in the 1980s.
Sullivan said that’s not his read, and the responsibility will be on the federal government to prove there was some sunset.
— The Associated Press
Alaska Airlines increases
fee to check a suitcase
Alaska Airlines is raising its fee for checking a suitcase to $25, bringing it in line with most major airlines.
Starting Oct. 30, the Seattle-based airline will charge passengers $25 each for the first and second checked bags. Additional bags will cost $75. Alaska currently charges $20 per bag for the first three suitcases.
The airline also is increasing the fee to change tickets to $125. Currently, Alaska charges $75 if the change is made online and $100 if the change is made through a call center.
Passengers who change tickets 60 or more days from the day of travel will not incur any fee at all.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways all increased change fees on domestic tickets from $150 to $200 in May.
Alaska Airlines Group Inc. expects the higher fees to result in $50 million of additional revenue each year. Alaska shares rose 7.9 percent in trading Tuesday to $56.03.
— The Associated Press
Energy conference to be
July 28-31 in Anchorage
The United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE), will host its annual conference July 28-31 in Anchorage. The conference will bring together a diverse group of international and U.S. experts from private enterprise, government and academia.
This will be a unique opportunity to discuss and debate the energy economic issues germane to Alaska and the Arctic, as well as other international areas.
More information about the conference, including online registration, can be found at: http://www.usaee.org/USAEE2013/.
The USAEE has more than1,000 members. The affiliated International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) has 4,000 members in more than 100 countries.
Roger Marks of the Anchorage chapter of the USAEE is the conference program chair. He can be reached at 907-250-1197 or rogmarks@gmail.com.
— Staff report
Next chamber mixer
hosted by Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo will host the next Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center mixer. It will be from 5-7 p.m. July 20 at the Wells Fargo store, 88 Sterling Highway. The public is invited.
For more information, call the chamber at 235-7740.
— Staff report
